Experimental Design Process

The way scientists work in research fields is to investigate the unknown. To ensure that scientists are conducting fair and replicable investigations, they need to use a common design process.

The Scientific Method is a key tool researchers use when conducting experiments, but how do they design the procedures?

This lesson will explore one way of designing experiments to achieve fair and replicable results and could assist students within STEMIE.

Today’s Problem

The adrenaline rush of bungee jumping has become increasingly popular, with operators offering jumps at many locations around the world. They are even as daring as the 233m bungee off the Macau Tower, Macau.

Watch the video below to see how far the fall is!

What investigations need to be conducted to ensure that the person shown in the video can safely bungee from the building (without going splat!), but still experience the thrill of free-falling towards the ground and stopping just in time?

Design an experiment to determine the number of linked rubber bands required for an egg to bungee from a 2m height but not impact the ground.